News, Announcements & Writings

Felicitas. Acclaimed one woman show about love & courage during Third Reich. Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm)
Playwright and actor Libby Skala, winner of the Best Solo Performer Award at the London Fringe Theatre Festival, presents her deeply personal one woman show, Felicitas, which tells the story of her great aunt Lizi, a powerful spirit who escaped the Third Reich to nurse babies and new parents in America. A celebration of love, discipline, and the nobility of a life in service, the show features Libby’s husband, Steven May, playing his own original compositions on mandolin. New York Theatre Now called the show “Charming! A beautiful tribute!” Simply Showbiz called it “powerful, grand, and epic.” And BlogCritics praised the show for being “inspirational without syrup. A performance that engages our emotions, respects our intelligence, and leaves us feeling uplifted.” Janice L. Goldberg, recently awarded the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion Award for her work with new plays, is the director. At Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street / Berkeley.$20 adv / $22 door. Visit: www.TheFreight.org/felicitas

Congregation Beth El’s Israel Committee presents Points of Light: Bridging the Israeli-Palestinian Divide. Report on a Spring, 2015, trip to Israel and the West Bank, by Judith Gussmann (Jewish) and Seema Dajani (Palestinian). Thursday, December 3, 7pm.
Discouraged by I-P news? Join Seema and Judy as they share encounters with Israelis and Palestinians who have set aside fear’s darkness and no longer feel divided. Learn about these people — bright points of light — who traverse the bridge to peace, together.
*Palestinian students visit Auschwitz; Israeli students visit Deheishe Refugee Camp residents
* Israelis and Palestinians work for the 2-State Solution
* Palestinian Muslims and Israeli religious settlers break their religious fasts togetherAt Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley. $10 entrance fee. No one turned away. Wheelchair accessible.

Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on the 4th night of Chanukah for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on an incredible 1-hour train ride on Roaring Camp’s vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of shining lights and Chanukah decorations.

We’ll share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea. Evening also includes your choice of mini golf, laser tag or arcade games.

Create a new holiday tradition with family and friends as we experience the lights, stories and traditions of Chanukah in a whole new way! Tickets are $29 adult, and $23 children. Purchase your tickets on-line: http://roaringcamp.com/events#chanukah. Thanks and call with questions at 831-335-4484 x 115

Public speaker, author, and psychotherapist Marta Fuchs, MLS, MFT will be presenting her book, Legacy of Rescue: A Daughter’s Tribute. December 17, 7pm. At Temple Beth El, Berkeley. The book is about the courageous righteous gentile who saved her father and over 100 other Hungarian Jews. She will also discuss escaping with her family from Hungary in the wake of the 1956 Revolution and their immigration to America, which are also detailed in her multigenerational memoir. Book signing will follow the PowerPoint presentation and readings.

Camp Tawonga’s 2016 program dates are available on our website and registration opens in December! Tawonga is a Jewish, residential summer camp that is American Camp Association accredited, and has a staff/camper ratio of 1/1.5. Tawonga’s beautiful 160 acre property is located right outside Yosemite National Park in Stanislaus National Forest. Tawonga offers camp sessions as well as teen leadership, a teen service learning trip to Washington D.C., and adventure travel programs for 2nd through 12th graders. Tawonga also offers weekend family camps.

Join us for a Camp Tawonga information session! Meet Camp Tawonga Directors to learn about our great programs, and get all your questions answered. Snacks and activities for kids provided! Tell a friend! Bring a friend!